Schneider Spring site in the Experimental Network for Assisted Migration and Establishment Silviculture (ENAMES)
The Schneider Spring site, part of the Experimental Network for Assisted Migration and Establishment Silviculture (ENAMES) study, has been established on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to test assisted population migration of ponderosa pine using four seed sources that match historical and predicted future climates at the site, as well as the effects of different planting densities on seedling establishment and growth. The site burned during the 2021 Schneider Spring Fire and will be planted in the spring of 2024.
Schneider Spring site 3D map showing experimental plots color-coded by the climate scenario each seed source is adapted to. Map by Laura Gonzalez Mantecon.
Landowner: USDA Forest Service.
Location: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District.
Nearest town: Cliffdell, WA.
Species: Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa.)
Site history: TBA.
Site characteristics: The site is on a gentle 3–7°, north-northeast-east-facing slope at 4,500 ft elevation. The soils are very deep, well-drained ashy sandy loams formed in colluvium from basalt or andesite with a mantle of volcanic ash. The mean annual temperature is 41 °F (coldest month: 25 °F; warmest month: 58 °F) and mean annual precipitation is 1446 mm (595 mm of which is snow.)
Planting date: Spring 2024.
Contact person:
Steven Braun, Silviculture Forester, USDA Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District.
Robert Slesak, Research Forester, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.
Pre-planting site conditions at the Schneider Spring site. Photo by James Dollins.
Management objectives and other considerations: TBA.
Site preparation: None.
Pre-planting site conditions: Some small dead standing trees in patches. Very sparse vegetation including grasses and fireweed, and virtually no natural conifer regeneration.
Assisted migration treatments: The team used the Seedlot Selection Tool to choose four planted seed sources (see table below.)
Climate period
| Seed origin | Seed source elevation (ft) | Mean cold month temperature (°C) | Summer heat-moisture index |
Historical/local (1961-1990) | Wenatchee National Forest | >4,000 | -3.98 | 87.0 |
Early-century (2011-2040) | Gifford Pinchot National Forest | 2,500–3,000 | -1.3 | 91.9 |
Mid-century (2041-2070) | Deschutes National Forest | 3,500–4,000 | -0.96 | 141.2 |
Late-century (2017-2100) | Rogue River National Forest | 5,000–6,000 | 0.75 | 115.8 |
Seed source locations matching historical and predicted future climates for the Schneider Spring site. Map by Laura Gonzalez Mantecon.
Silvicultural treatments: Three different planting densities (see below.)
Seedling stock type: Large containerized stock (Styro 10.)
Planting density: Operational contract crews will plant 150, 200, and 250 trees per acre.
Monitoring: The site will be monitored to track and compare seedling survival among seed sources and silvicultural treatments. Measurements are planned for 1, 5, 10, and 15 years after planting.
The site may also serve as a demonstration plot for managers to visit and visually compare seed source performance.
Forestry technician Tessa Franklin preparing the Schneider Spring site for planting. Photo by James Dollins.
Figure 1. Seedling survival for the different seed sources one year post-planting at the Schneider Springs site.
Figure 2. Seedling diameter by seed source one year post-planting at the Schneider Springs site.
Figure 3. Seedling growth by seed source one year post-planting at the Schneider Springs site.
Files
-
https://research.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/pnw-schneiderspringlayout.pdfFile Type: pdf
File Size: 7.48MB
Project
-
Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/pnw/projects/enames